J.R. McConvey
Images & Words
I create my own stories, and help others tell theirs.
Sometimes I do it on paper. Sometimes I do it with screens.
I like working between formats and genres, words and images.
You can explore my books and stories below.
You can see some of the media projects I've produced here.
You can find samples of my writing and a brief CV here.
You can also get in touch about collaborating.
BOOKS
I've written two books of fiction.
DIFFERENT BEASTS
Stories. 2019, Goose Lane Editions.
Winner, Kobo Emerging Writer Prize
(Speculative Fiction)
“A compelling creature... like Stuart McLean channeling H.P. Lovecraft.”
—Winnipeg Free-Press
FALSE BODIES
A novel. Coming in 2024 from Breakwater Books.
Drawing: Sam Hudecki
What does it mean to be both human and monster? Shape-shifting waifs, haunted stuffies, and mutant angels all come to life in this collection that Andrew Pyper called "involving, often surprising, tension-filled short fiction told with a cinematic eye—the kind of storytelling that burns certain images into the reader’s mind."
On an offshore rig near Portugal Cove, Newfoundland, sixty-four workers disappear—then reappear, hours later, murdered and mutilated. Rumours say a huge tentacle was found at the scene of the crime. It’s a case made for Eddie Gesner, notorious expert in unfathomable things. Giant squid, meet Eddie the Yeti.
“This is a brilliant collection. Here is the human understory, a tour through the internal wilderness of soul after troubled soul. As their maker, J.R. McConvey considers each one with a clear, unfailing gaze. More than that, he does so in language that sings.” —Alissa York, author of The Naturalist
“Poignant and evocative… DIFFERENT BEASTS creates a series of specific worlds that linger long after the story is finished. It is a collection not easily forgotten.”
—Ottawa Review of Books
“J.R. McConvey’s debut roars like an untamed goblin—an instantly charming one... an excellent choice for readers who relish being disturbed and unsettled.”—Apple Books Review
“DIFFERENT BEASTS made me fall in love with the craft of short stories all over again… This is the work of a writer of beastly talent, vision and guts.” –Brian Francis, author of Break in Case of Emergency
“Each of these stories had such an ease to them that I felt like I was reading an author I’d read a thousand times... McConvey is a stunning writer.” –Steve Stred, Kendall Reviews
You can find samples of my fiction here
More praise for Different Beasts
COPYWRITING, CONTENT & COMMUNICATIONS
I have twenty years of experience writing and creating content for publications, organizations and institutions.
Let's work together.
Select Writing
Why is Canada Tearing Down its Architectural History?
The Walrus, Sep 2022
Literary Review of Canada, June 2021
The Ouroboros
EVENT 46.1, July 2017
Altered States: the double life of author Craig Davidson
Globe & Mail, Jan 2015
Paradise lost? Our memory of nature is in tatters
Globe & Mail, Sep 2013
The Walrus, May 2012
Content for organizations and websites
Educational resources, SEO content, cases for support, grant applications, news updates, social media, and more.
Social media strategy & design, corporate video production.
Still from "Changing the Language Around Suicide," Trillium Health Partners
PRODUCTION & MEDIA WORK
I've written and produced award-winning documentaries for screens of all sizes, and helped others bring their visions to life.
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The National Parks Project 2011
Writer/Producer/Story Editor
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Northwords 2012
Writer/Producer/Interactive Design
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Mission Asteroid 2013
Writer/Producer
The power of nature. The magic of art. 13 filmmakers join 13 musicians on a creative adventure to capture the essence of the national parks of Canada in film and music.
13x short films
+ Official Selection, Berlinale, SXSW, Hot Docs, Tampere, MoMA, DOXA, more.
+ Genie Award, Best Documentary Short, "Sirmilik" (dir. Zacharias Kunuk)
13x 30min documentary TV series (narrated by Gord Downie)
+Gemini Award, Best Arts Documentary Program or Series
Online interactive documentary
+ Finalist, SXSW Interactive Awards, Best Art Interactive
13x EPs & 1x soundtrack LP
Five Canadian writers travel to northern Labrador for an education in storytelling, as they visit the Torngat Mountains, a homeland sacred to Inuit. Narrated by Shelagh Rogers.
1x 50min TV documentary
+ Banff World Media festival International Pilot Competion, Best Documentary
1x interactive documentary for tablet
5x e-book digital shorts
The threat is real... so are the heroes who can stop it. Meet the scientists and entrepreneurs defending the world from asteroid apocalypse. Narrated by David Cronenberg.
1x 42min documentary
+ Canadian Screen Award nomination, Best Science & Nature Documentary
“(The NPP is) a soaring series of short films exploring Canada's national parks... an inspiring new way of looking at Canada's original sacred spaces.” —Eli Glasner, CBC.ca
SESQUI 2017
Director of Digital and VR
An immersive experience produced for Canada 150 featuring five original interactive Virtual Reality experiences, plus the 360 dome film HORIZON.
Projects I've supported on
Dark Side of the Ring, SE4-5
VICE TV, 2023
The Choice VR
Infinite Frame Media, 2022
The Stairs
Midnight Lamp Films, 2016
